Prediction: Dynamo Kyiv vs Sturm Graz

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Dynamo Kyiv and Sturm Graz will face each other in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round this week. The match will be held at Stadion Miejski al. Unii Lubelskiej 2 in Lodz and is scheduled to kick off at 7pm UK time on Wednesday.

Dynamo Kyiv

FC Dynamo Kyiv are one of the biggest clubs of Ukraine and are regulars in major European competitions, such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The Blue & Whites have won the Ukrainian Premier League as many as 16 times, the Ukrainian Cup on 13 occasions, and the Ukrainian Super Cup nine times. Dynamo Kyiv won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup twice – first in 1975 and then in 1986 – and the UEFA Super Cup once – in 1975.

Dynamo Kyiv finished second in the 2021–22 Ukrainian Premier League with 45 points from 18 matches, just two points behind eventual winners Shakhtar Donetsk. That saw them enter the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League campaign at the second qualifying round stage.

Team News:

Georgiy Bushchan, Denys Popov, Oleksandr Karavaev,  Vladyslav Dubinchak, Tomasz Kedziora, Serhiy Sydorchuk,  Mykola Shaparenko, Viktor Tsygankov and Artem Besedin all are available.

Sturm Graz

SK Sturm Graz are one of the most-well known clubs from Austria. They have regularly played in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League over the years. Die Schwoazn have won the Austrian Bundesliga just three times though – in 1998, 1999 and 2011. They have also finished runners-up on seven occasions. Sturm Graz have won the ÖFB-Cup five times and the Austrian Supercup on three occasions.

Sturm Graz did well in the 2021–22 Austrian Football Bundesliga campaign. They finished second in the league table with 37 points from 32 matches, eight points ahead of third-placed Austria Wien and 15 points behind eventual winners RB Salzburg. That saw them qualify for the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Team News:

Jörg Siebenhandl, Tobias Schützenauer, Gregory Wüthrich,  Alois Oroz,  David Schnegg, Sandro Ingolitsch, Jon Stankovic, Otar Kiteishvili, Stefan Hierländer,  Rasmus Højlund, Jakob Jantscher and Luca Kronberger all are available for Sturm Graz.

Key Factors to Consider

• Dynamo Kyiv have won 1 of their last 5 matches.
• Dynamo Kyiv have drawn 3 of their last 5 matches.
• Dynamo Kyiv have lost 1 of their last 5 matches.
• Sturm Graz have won 2 of their last 5 games.
• Sturm Graz have lost 2 of their last 5 games.

Conclusion

Dynamo Kyiv and Sturm Graz are good teams, and the first leg could be key. Dynamo will not exactly have home advantage as the match will be played in the Polish city of Lodz, but they will still want to make it count. A draw is the most likely outcome in this match.

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

Best Odds: 4/1

Bookmaker: Betfair